ADA – The 2016 season for the East Central University baseball team is set to open on the road in Tahlequah, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 31 against Northeastern State at 1 p.m.  This is a rescheduled game, which was originally set for Tuesday, Feb. 2.

The Tigers are coming off a 22-19 season in 2015, with a 12-13 mark in the Great American Conference (7^th).  ECU will look to improve on that record, but they will have to do it with basically a whole new roster.  The Tigers lost 22 letterwinners for a year ago, including eight starters, and return just nine (two starters).

The top returning player in the field is junior Trevor Huie, who saw action in 24 games, starting in 19.  Huie recorded 14 runs, 11 hits and two RBIs and had a .932 fielding percentage.

The other top returner was on the mound for ECU, senior Michael Andrade.  Andrade lead the team with a 2.13 ERA and went 3-0.  He had 20 appearances, allowed 23 hits and 10 runs and struck out 14 batters in 25.1 innings of work as a relief pitcher.

The RiverHawks went 25-24 overall and 17-19 in the MIAA in 2015, but they have a new head coach for the 2016 season in Jake Hendrick.  Hendrick's is not completely new to the NSU program, as he served as the pitching coach for two seasons prior to taking over the leadership role.

The RiverHawks will return seven starters and 13 letterwinners for 2016. The list of returners includes their top producer at the plate in 2015, Charles Sims.  Sims hit .366, with 37 runs, 53 hits and 30 RBIs.  NSU also returns Bryce Davenport, who hit .361 with 24 runs, 57 hits and 37 RBIs.

Bobby Sehgal is the top pitcher returning, with a 6.39 ERA and 3-5 record in 38.0 innings of work.  Sehgal allowed 39 hits and 33 runs, while recording 13 strikeouts.

The Tigers and NSU have meet for 58 previous games, with the RiverHawks holding an 18-40 lead in the all-time series dating back to 1999.  There have only been four meetings where they were not conference opponents, with those taking place in Tahlequah in 2012.  The teams split that series, but NSU has a distinct 6-20 advantage when playing at home.